A comparison of aspiration and sclerotherapy with laparoscopic de-roofing in the management of symptomatic simple renal cysts

Objectives To present the results of a minimally invasive treatment of symptomatic simple renal cysts, and to propose an algorithm for their management. Patients and Methods Seventeen patients presenting with suspected symptomatic simple renal cysts were referred for trial aspiration; 16 presented with loin pain and one with a flank mass. If the cyst and symptoms recurred after a temporary response, they were managed by re-aspiration with sclerotherapy using 95% ethanol, or by laparoscopic de-roofing of the cyst. Results Of the 17 patients referred, one failed to respond to aspiration and was excluded from further analysis. Three patients had sustained pain relief from simple aspiration alone, 13 required further treatment for symptom relapse, of whom six had aspiration and sclerotherapy, and seven had laparoscopic de-roofing. After a mean follow-up of 17 months, pain had recurred in all five patients originally presenting with pain and managed by sclerotherapy, and the patient who presented with a painless mass from a large cyst also developed pain after sclerotherapy. In contrast, the subsequent seven patients managed by laparoscopic treatment are pain-free at a mean follow-up of 17.7 months. Conclusion Evaluation including a diagnostic aspiration is essential to diagnose a symptomatic cyst. When treatment is indicated, laparoscopic de-roofing appears to be more effective than sclerotherapy.